Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

As women runners over 40, we often face a wave of confusing (and sometimes extreme) advice about menopause and fitness — especially on social media. In this episode, we cut through the noise and dive into what really matters when it comes to training during perimenopause and beyond.

We break down the most common menopause myths circulating in the running community and explore the physiological shifts happening in midlife. From hormo...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Holly Bertone — a former FBI Chief of Staff turned certified holistic health coach — who now helps midlife women break free from emotional eating and step into their power.

Holly shares her deeply personal journey, from leading high-stakes intelligence operations to uncovering the root causes of her own struggles with food. With a unique blend of counterintelligence tactics and brain ...

Let’s set the record straight: pain and injury are not just things runners have to live with. In this episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, we’re taking on one of the most damaging myths in the running world — the belief that hurting is normal, expected, or even necessary if you want to improve.

Spoiler alert: it’s not.

Yes, injuries are common — but that doesn’t make them inevitable. And accepting them as “part of the process” o...

What would it look like to pay yourself first when it comes to your health?

In this episode, we explore how the Profit First principle—typically used in business—can be a powerful tool to help you shift how you think about your time, energy, and well-being. Instead of letting health be what’s leftover, we talk about putting it first—so you can show up stronger in all areas of life.

We share personal insights, practical examples, and ...

In this episode of The Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re diving into a real-life backyard issue—our deteriorating fence—and what it taught us about boundaries, both literal and personal. We use this everyday challenge as a powerful metaphor for the invisible structures that support our lives, our training, and our overall well-being.

How often do we let little things slide—like a creaky fence or a nagging ache—telling ourselves we’ll...

In this episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, we discuss the importance of starting fall race preparation during the summer months, particularly June and July. We delve into the concept of cycle stacking, emphasizing the need to lay a strong foundation now to avoid last-minute rush and stress. Key topics include the importance of strength training, building mental toughness, adapting to heat, and incorporating up and down weeks...

In this empowering and eye-opening episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Nikki DiNezza—a true expert in the world of gut health. Whether you're a runner, a health-conscious human, or someone who’s just trying to feel better in your own skin, this conversation will resonate with you.

Dr. Nikki shares her fascinating journey into gut health and explains how our digestive system is so much more than what we often think. We t...

This week on the Real Life Runners Podcast, we are celebrating the amazing energy and breakthroughs from our recent Running Reignited Challenge! It was so inspiring to see so many of you reconnect with your goals and remember why you started running in the first place.

But here’s the thing we really want to talk about: Inspiration is great—but it’s not enough on its own.

If we want to create real change, we have to move from feeling ...

You need two things to improve your running: strength and stress. If you've been feeling stuck in your performance or sidelined by recurring injuries, this one's for you. We share why simply adding more miles or intensity isn't the answer—and how focusing on quality over quantity can unlock a whole new level of progress.

We explore the essential role of strength training in building a more resilient, efficient runner—...

Have you noticed that running can sometimes start to feel like a chore? If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Today we're talking about why this happens—and more importantly, how to reignite that inner spark. We unpack the common culprits behind burnout, from overtraining and life overload to the hormonal changes that often surface for women in their 40s and beyond. If you've been feeling stuck, unmotivated, o...

This week, we’re diving deeper—not just into outdated strategies that no longer serve us as runners over 40, but into the powerful role identity plays in our running journey.

As runners, we can define ourselves by pace, distance, or race goals. But over time, that performance-based mindset can start to feel limiting—or even discouraging. In this episode, we talk about what it means to step into a new identity: one that prioritizes l...

In this inspiring episode, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Cindi Wachholz, a 62-year-old paramedic and runner who proves that it’s never too late to chase big goals. Cindi didn’t start running until she was 59, and her story is such a powerful reminder that age is just a number.

She shared how she started with simple walk-run sessions, built consistency over time, and gradually worked her way up to finishing a half marat...

In this solo episode of The Real Life Runners podcast, I’m diving into something so many of us struggle with after 40: why it feels harder to maintain a healthy weight, even when you’re exercising and eating right. Trust me, you’re not alone in this!

I’ll walk you through what’s really going on inside our bodies — how hormonal shifts, like drops in estrogen and progesterone, impact our metabolism and muscle mass. And more importantl...

In this episode, we draw an analogy between encountering a '404 Page Not Found' error on the web and hitting a plateau or decline in one's training plan, particularly for runners over 40. We discuss the changes in physiology and life circumstances that necessitate a new training approach, including changes in hormonal levels, stress management, and adjustments in workouts to reflect current fitness capabilities. We e...

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In this episode of The Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re diving into a topic that so many runners can relate to—using running as a stress relief tool, but sometimes this backfires. We’ll talk about the common mistakes runners make that can actually increase stress levels rather than relieve them. The key? Learning to reconnect with your body and adjust training to support—not strain—your syst...

Feeling slower despite consistent running routines is a common concern among runners over 40. This episode addresses the frustration experienced by seasoned runners who feel their performance is declining with age. Key topics include the real reasons behind this perceived slowdown—beyond just age—and actionable strategies to combat them. The discussion covers the importance of nervous system regulation, updated training strategies,...

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Sabrina Magnan, an intuitive eating and food freedom coach, to discuss the complexities of our relationship with food and body image. Sabrina shares her personal journey from a life consumed by disordered eating and extreme dieting to one of balance and self-love. She explains the distinctions between disordered eating and eating disorders, and highlights the impact of diet culture on our ...

Most runners focus on endurance and strength training—but what if explosive power was the missing piece to better running?

In this milestone 400th episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re diving into plyometrics—a powerful training tool that can help you run faster, improve efficiency, and reduce injury risk.

Many runners assume plyos are just for sprinters or elite athletes, but the truth is, every runner can benefit from add...

In this episode, Dr. Angie Brown welcomes Dr. Christine Li, a psychologist and procrastination coach, to discuss the roots of procrastination and the challenges of midlife, particularly for women. Dr. Li explains how fear and self-doubt are central to procrastination and the importance of self-kindness and mindfulness in overcoming these barriers. The discussion also delves into the unique challenges faced by women in midlife, incl...